Drug Addiction
(Psychology 451)
Course Objectives,
Organization, & Requirements
Copyright 2005 Dr. Michael A. Bozarth, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo
Learning Objectives
•
•
•
•
Attitude & Subjective Appraisal
Concepts & Terminology
Analytical Methods
Factual Knowledge
Course Content
• Overview of fundamental concepts
• Detailed examination of two prototypical
drug classes
– psychomotor stimulants (e.g., cocaine)
– opiates (e.g., heroin)
• Emphasis on biological mechanisms
• Possible generalization to some other
addictive drugs
Course Content (cont.)
• Not covered in the course
– many psychoactive drugs
•
•
•
•
•
marijuana
MDMA (ecstasy)
hallucinogens
alcohol
nicotine & caffeine
– diagnosis & treatment of addiction
– possible nonchemical “addictions”
Background & Prerequisites
• Introductory Psychology
– conditioning & learning theory
– biological mechanisms of behavior
• Research Methods & Statistics
– experimental design
– principles of scientific inference
• Biopsychology or Behavioral Neuroscience
• Survey course/module on Drug Abuse or
equivalent background
Instructional Format
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Assigned readings (primary learning ‘tool’)
Lecture (mostly Q & A with mini lectures)
Discussions (limited to main themes)
Some videos (introductory case studies)
Possible laboratory demonstrations
Class attendance essential
Internet access mandatory
Readings
• Textbook installments available at Jacob’s
Copy Center throughout the semester
– availability announced in class
– chapter study guides are available online
– readings must be completed before class meeting
• Online material (see course home page)
• Reserve list at UGL
• Student is responsible for ‘mastering’ the
material and asking questions for clarification
Course Grade
• Based on three exams administered during
regularly scheduled class periods
– grades are not “curved” but based on absolute
grading criteria (A- = 90%, B- = 80%, etc.)
– major emphasis on readings and lecture
material but material discussed in class may
also be included as well as material from the
Discussion List
– make-up exams allowed only under exceptional
circumstances and with prior approval of the
instructor and with written documentation
Course Difficulty
• This is an upper level (elective) psychology
course that places responsibility for
‘learning’ largely on the student
• The course becomes progressively more
difficult for most students
– later concepts build on earlier concepts
– more material to learn, more difficult reading
(e.g., details & level of analysis)
– more biological orientation
• Past course grades
Mean Exam Score
– average “C+”
– 40 to 48% “A’s & B’s”
– a few students have managed perfect or near
perfect exam scores (even on Exam #3)
90%
80%
70%
60%
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
http://wings.buffalo.edu/aru/PSY451syl.htm
Opening Discussion:
What’s the course about???
What’s the course about???
• What does the term “addiction” mean?
What’s the course about???
• What does the term “addiction” mean?
– What drugs are considered addictive by this
definition?
What’s the course about???
• What does the term “addiction” mean?
– What drugs are considered addictive by this
definition?
• What does the term “drug abuse” mean?
What’s the course about???
• What does the term “addiction” mean?
– What drugs are considered addictive by this
definition?
• What does the term “drug abuse” mean?
– What drugs are considered abused by this
definition?
What’s the course about???
• What does the term “addiction” mean?
– What drugs are considered addictive by this
definition?
• What does the term “drug abuse” mean?
– What drugs are considered abused by this
definition?
• What does the term “dependence” mean?
What’s the course about???
• What does the term “addiction” mean?
– What drugs are considered addictive by this
definition?
• What does the term “drug abuse” mean?
– What drugs are considered abused by this
definition?
• What does the term “dependence” mean?
– What are some examples of dependence?
Common Definitions
of Key Terms
• addiction: to use compulsively or
uncontrollably; to enslave
Common Definitions
of Key Terms
• addiction: to use compulsively or
uncontrollably; to enslave
• abuse: to use wrongly or improperly
Common Definitions
of Key Terms
• addiction: to use compulsively or
uncontrollably; to enslave
• abuse: to use wrongly or improperly
• habit: a constant, often unconscious, inclination
to perform some act, acquired through its frequent
repetition
Common Definitions
of Key Terms
• addiction: to use compulsively or
uncontrollably; to enslave
• abuse: to use wrongly or improperly
• habit: a constant, often unconscious, inclination
to perform some act, acquired through its frequent
repetition
• addiction liability/potential: the tendency to
develop/produce an addiction
Common Definitions
of Key Terms (cont.)
• dependence: state of being determined,
influenced, or controlled by something else;
subordination to someone or something needed or
greatly desired; required for normal physiological
or psychological function
– physical/physiologic/physiological
– psychological/psychic
What’s in a Name?
• Compare the course title/subject matter (i.e.,
Drug Addiction) vs. the National Institute
on Drug Abuse
• Therein lies the difference -- this course is
about drug addiction not drug abuse
Key Concept
• Addiction potential is a property of . . .
– the drug?
Key Concept
• Addiction potential is a property of . . .
– the drug?
– the individual?
Key Concept
• Addiction potential is a property of . . .
– the drug?
– the individual?
– the situation/circumstances (e.g., social
setting?)
Key Concept
• Addiction potential is a property of . . .
– the drug?
– the individual?
– the situation/circumstances (e.g., social
setting?)
• The common factor that has been identified
is the drug
Key Concept
• Some important characteristic of a drug’s
action is critically involved in producing an
addition
• Attempts to identify personality
characteristics, social environment, etc.
have been far less successful than
identifying common characteristics of drug
action
Why Study Prototypic
Addictive Drugs?
Why Study Prototypic
Addictive Drugs?
• Determine characteristics of addiction
Why Study Prototypic
Addictive Drugs?
• Determine characteristics of addiction
• Refine definitions of addiction
– typical characteristics
– defining attributes
Why Study Prototypic
Addictive Drugs?
• Determine characteristics of addiction
• Refine definitions of addiction
– typical characteristics
– defining attributes
• Develop scientific understanding of
addiction
– behavioral processes
– biological mechanisms
The Yin and Yang
of Addictive Drugs
The “Yin”
• Addictive drugs take a
horrific toll on humanity
– personal
– social
– economic
The “Yang”
• But addictive drugs also
provide probes for
understanding brain
function
– addictive drugs provide a tool
for probing the mind and its
underlying neurochemical
and neuroanatomical basis
From Smith et al., 1998.
From Bozarth, 1987.